Autonomy in production logistics: Identification, characterisation and application

Competitive enterprises have to react fast and flexible to an increasing dynamic environment. To achieve the ability to adapt on these new requirements autonomous cooperating logistic processes seem to be an appropriate method. In order to prove in which case autonomously controlled processes are more advantageous than conventionally managed processes, it is essential to specify what is exactly meant with autonomous control, how autonomous control does differ from conventional control and how the achievement of logistic objectives in autonomously controlled systems can be estimated and compared to the achievement of objectives in conventionally controlled systems. This paper introduces a general definition of autonomous control as well as a definition in the context of engineering science and its meaning in a logistics context. Based on this, a catalogue of criteria is developed to ensure the identification of autonomous cooperating processes in logistic systems and its distinction to conventionally controlled processes. To demonstrate this catalogue, its criteria and the concerning properties are explained by means of an exemplary shop-floor scenario. r 2007 Published by Elsevier Ltd.